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Hansa Vilak Stylish and profound cinematic experience
Veteran dramatist and film-maker Dharmasiri Bandaranayake’s landmark creation, Hansa Vilak is back on the screen after its restoration in digital format. The film remains ‘timeless’ and ‘forever young’ even after 40 years since it was first released in 1980.
by Randima Attygalle
Dharmasiri Banadaranayake’s Hansa Vilak is a ‘dazzling debut’ which ‘displays a remarkable feel for the medium. Imaginative, experimental and very exciting,’ commented Dr. Lester James Peries when the film was first released. An attempt to explore the social hypothesis of a marriage from an atypical perspective drove Bandaranayake to write his first screen play for Hansa Vilak in 1978. By then he was experienced both as a stage and a film actor.
Along with greats like Lester James Peries, Satyajit Ray, Andrzej Munk and several other contemporary film-makers, Bandaranayake won the admiration of film-goers who preferred to watch good, artistic cinema, he reflects looking back.
The forbidden love between Nissanka (played by Bandaranayake himself) and Miranda (Swarna Mallawarachchi) – both married, is the theme of Hansa Vilak or Swan Lake. This projects a universal appeal in any society where matrimony has been made into a legal or social institution. The deep and abiding emotions in a traditional Asian society are poignantly projected in the film.
Critic H.A Seneviratne once remarked that, ‘Hansa Vilak, combining both fantasy and reality, utilizes the diverse techniques of photography, editing, and sound mixing in all their complexities so much so that there appears to be much outwards novelty in it. Not only the form, but also the subject matter of the film appears to be new and complex to the Sinhala filmgoer. It deals with the emotional problems of two married couples whose matrimonial bond had been suddenly disrupted.’
The extra marital sexual relationship between Miranda, wife of Douglas (Henry Jayasena) and Nissanka, husband of Samanthi (Vasanthi Chaturani) is suddenly revealed with the police raiding the hotel in which the couple had found temporary lodging. This results in Nissanka deserting his wife and two children and Miranda too leaving her husband and only daughter. Nissanka and Miranda are united in marriage but their past emotional attachments continue to taunt them.
Some aspects of these characters are based on reality and some on illusion and fantasy. The characters were developed “transcending the traditional beginning, middle and the end construct known to films at that time,” Bandaranayake says. The film was based on a structure that was yet unseen in Sri Lankan cinema – the element which he attributes to Hansa Vilak’s lasting appeal even after 40 years since release.
The response to the newly restored Hansa Vilak in digital format has been “overwhelming,” says Bandaranayake. “Today it has come among another generation including students of cinema whose response to it has been heart-warming,” he says; he humbly adds that his creation has not aged, but remains modern and relevant.
Bandaranayake’s Hansa Vilak and Thunweni Yamaya were sent to India for restoration by the Sri Lanka Film Corporation about three years ago. The six-month restoration process in the Prasad Film Lab in Chennai reputed for its digital post production services has paid dividends.
“The visual impact of the new copy is just astounding. Although the images remain in their original black and white, their sharpness and clarity in the new version appeals to the modern audience,” says the filmmaker.
The film, distributed by Sri Lanka Film Corporation, is now being screened in several cinemas in Colombo. It will soon show at several more cinemas in other major towns.
As an artiste who is very vocal about conserving Sinhala cinema’s landmarks for posterity, Bandaranayake laments that several Sri Lankan cinematic landmarks will perish unless urgent interventions are made. Following the successful restoration of his own films, (Thunveni Yamaya will be screened soon), Bandaranayake stresses the need to salvage
the masterpieces of celebrated film makers such as Lester James Peries, Dharmasena Pathiraja and Vasantha Obe
yesekera before they are forever lost to the country.
Commenting on Hansa Vilak (released in 1980), scholar and critic Regi Siriwardena remarked that, ‘Dharmasiri Bandaranayake has created in this film a form and style that go further than any Sinhala film before in taking us into the world of inner psychological experience. Throughout the film the camera is the means of projecting the sensations and feelings of Nissanka torn between love, suspicion, jealousy, duty and obligation. Many of the images on the screen belong not to the world of external, public reality but to the inner world of psychological reality.’
Psychology of character in the language of film-making becomes prominent in the creation of Hansa Vilak. The subject matter of the film is a fusion of fantasy and hallucinations of an emotional wreck. This fusion, Bandaranayake explains, enabled every viewer of the film a dialogue on what was real and what was illusion.
The camera in the hands of the cinematographer, Andrew Jayamanne is shifted towards the characters making it appear that the characters themselves walk towards it. The melodies of Maestro Premasiri Khemadasa – Hemin Sere Piya Vida (theme song sung by Sunila Abeysekera and T. M. Jayarathna) Senehasa Pupura sihinaya miya yayi and Sandun sihina mandapaye emerge strong motifs in the film.
Bandaranayake’s own portrayal of Nissanaka was not by choice. The non-availability of most actors he approached pushed him into taking the role himself. Inspiration to play the dual roles of actor and director came from the celebrated Gamini Fonseka, says Bandaranayake, adding that Gamini’s shoes were however too big for him.
A special pre-premiere of Hansa Vilak in 1979 won it an opportunity to be featured at the Mannheim International Film Festival in West Germany. “Rev. Fr. Ernest Portuthota who happened to be in the audience at the special show was so impressed by the film and took it upon himself to send it to Germany,” recollects Bandaranayake. This enabled him to join a group of novice film makers from different parts of the world.
Hansa Vilak
was awarded a Diploma Certificate at the festival. After its release locally, the film won the Sarasaviya award for the best script. For Bandaranayake the best jury however, is the people of this country. “Whenever the film is featured at any film festival or show on TV, the response I receive from numerous people is immense. This is my greatest award,” he reflects.
“To have found the means of reflecting through the form and techniques of the film, the pressures of society and the family in the mind of a bewildered and tormented individual is Dharmasiri Bandaranayake’s great achievement in the film,” wrote Regi Siriwardena who went on to note that this ‘achievement is sufficient to make Hansa Vilak a permanent landmark in the Sinhala Cinema, just as Rekawa or Ahas Gauwa were in their own time’.
Photo credit: Dharmasiri Bandaranayake
Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka
The 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the UK-based Institute of Hospitality’s Sri Lanka Chapter was held recently at the Ramada Hotel Colombo,.The event provided an evening of camaraderie , reflection of the past and present achievements,setting new benchmarks for the future
The AGM had the presence of two distinguished guests, the Chief Guest Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and the Guest of Honour British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick. Their inspiring speeches were lauded by all hoteliers who were present at the occasion
A special thanks was extended to Robert Richardson, CEO of the Institute of Hospitality UK, along with his team, sponsors, committee members, and all attendees for making the event memorable.
Dr. Harsha Jayasingh, Past President of the Institute of Hospitality (UK) Sri Lanka Chapter, emphasised the Institute’s longstanding history and the strength of its Sri Lankan branch. “The Institute of Hospitality (IH) UK has a history of 86 years, and we are proud to be the Sri Lanka Branch. IH Sri Lanka is much stronger now with many members from all areas of the hospitality industry,” he stated.
Dr. Jayasingh highlighted the significant role of tourism in Sri Lanka’s economy,. He said tourism it is the third-largest source of revenue for the country. “Tourism accounts for about 13.3% of total foreign exchange earnings and employs 450,000 people directly and indirectly. The hospitality industry in this island of pearl holds tremendous potential for economic growth, job creations, and cultural exchange,” he added.
He also pointed out more women should be attracted to the industry and advocated for the use of technology in hospitality sector to attract the younger generation.
The newly appointed Chairman Ramesh Dassanayake spoke about the challenges faced by the industry, including the reluctance of youth to join the sector. . Dassanayake expressed concerns over the migration of staff between hotels and the overall ‘brain drain’ in the sector. ” We must maintain high standards in the hotel We must try to attract tourists to Sri Lanka, we must have with many facilities Hence, hotel schools and other professional institutions involved in skills development mustincrease their intakes,” he pointed out.
Chief Guest Sajith Premadasa emphasised the importance of eco tourism and said “We need to have an environmental policy related to tourism in place,” . .
The 32nd AGM of the Institute of Hospitality UK, Sri Lanka Chapter, was a testament to the strength and potential of Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry. The insights and commitments shared during the event set a new benchmark for the future.(ZC)
Pix by Thushara Attapathu
Life style
He recognizes human identity beyond boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
Visit of Sri Gurudev to Sri Lanka
Humanitarian, spiritual leader and Global Ambassador of Peace Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Sri Gurudev) was in Sri Lanka on a three day tour on the invitation of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunewardene. Gurudev who inspired a wave of volunteerism and service to moot one of the largest volunteer-based organisations in the world – The Art of Living – visited the various projects under the aegis of the foundation and launched twelve vocational and technical centers around the island. He was accompanied by thousands of followers from Sri Lanka and around the world.
Gurudev who visited Sri Lanka for the sixth time also had a first day cover launched in honour of his visit. He is a strong proponent of spreading happiness, using the unique Sudarshan Kriya, yoga, meditation and practical wisdom to unite people, empower individuals and transform communities. His programmes provide techniques and tools to live a deeper, more joyous life, while his non-profit organisations recognize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
The Art of Living which has more than 30,000 teachers and over one million volunteers across 180 countries has touched in excess of five hundred million people around the world. CNN called it “Life Changing” and The Washington Post headlined it, “Fresh air to millions”.
In Trincomalee, Gurudev met with war victims and had a heartwarming engagement with the children from the children’s homes run by the Foundation. He also visited the Koneswara Temple in Trincomalee and graced the Kumbhabhishekam at Seetha ecogPnize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion. Amman temple at Nuwara Eliya. He held discussions with the trustees on the progress of the foundation’s social service projects, while also holding a special event – Ekamuthuwa – attended by a large number of dignitaries and his devotees from around the world.
His time with the Prime Minister was spent discussing the prospects of unity in diversity and uniting Sri Lanka by adding happiness into the formula of living. In addition he had discussions with the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, prominent business stewards and civil society leaders.
by Zanita Careem
Envison your dream wedding day come to life at the Epitome Hotel, a prestigious city hotel in Kurunegala offering an unrivalled luxury rendors experience for weddings.
The venue is designed to embody opulence and luxury from all quarters for a spectacular wedding in kurunegala,Thier ballroom is the largest banquet facility in Sri Lanka It can be divided into six luxurious pillarless wedding halls on the ground floor and 25pax smaller banquet halls.
It can be easily named as a five star heaven in the heart of the city contributing to a myriad of immense experiences tailored to inspire and delight wedding experiences.
From opulent décor set up to exquisite table decor, lavish food, every detail is meticulously curated to spark your imagination and ignite creativity for a perfect wedding. The previous prestigious wedding shows season one and season two attracted large crowds
were unique events which gave the wedding vendors and potential clients had an opportunity to connect and interact with each other. Beyond being a showcase it was a chance for the wedding vendors to unite and contribute to the vibrancy of the wedding industry. The wedding show covered all area of the bridal industry providing a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became the most popular bridal exhibitions in Kurunegala.This bridal exhibitions allowed brides and grooms to experience first hand the products and services available from suppliers in Sri Lanka
These wedding shows held at The Epitome created a benchmark and gave an opportunity for vendors to create connections to the utmost satisfaction said Harshan Lakshita Executive Director. of the magnificent Hotel
Our wedding shows featured experts and professionals in every field‘ It covered all areas of the bridal industry provided a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became most popular bridal exhibition in this region.We are always open to everyone to join us at our wedding shows in the future. It is an opportunity to discover the incredible talent within our local wedding and bridal vendors to make meaningful relationships and plan thier special day at our breathtaking hotel The Epitome said General Manager Kavinda Caldera
The Epitome Hotel’s bridal show which will be held end of June will buzz with great ideas,advice and inspiration for all those who plan thier dream wedding
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The Hotel Epitome’s Wedding Season 3 will marked excellence, celebration and inspiration for those in the wedding industry. The exhibition halls will resonate with ideas on exquisite bridal wear to decor, florists , photography etc and showshowcase the rich tapestry of talent within the local wedding industry. .
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